2K Sports Explains Charles Barkley's Absence from 'NBA 2K12

Aug 24, 2011 by Anthony Taormina

No Barkley in NBA 2K12

While gamers will be able to show off their b-ball skills on the NBA 2K12 courts with the likes of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, there is one hall-of-famer who is notably absent: Sir Charles Barkley. Originally the NBA’s Greatest mode was meant to highlight one specific player, and their respective team, from some of the NBA’s greatest teams throughout the years, but one team is without its promising rookie.

For those that don’t know, NBA’s Greatest is NBA 2K12’s version of the ‘Jordan Challenge,’ which allows players, after completing a marquee match up, to play as that classic team during exhibition matches. Some of the greats being included with the mode are Patrick Ewing, Scotty Pippen, and Jerry West.

Though the color commentator for TNT is considered an important part of the basketball experience today, his impact on the game itself will never be forgotten. As such it’s surprising to not see him being included as part of the Philadelphia 76ers line-up during what was his rookie season.

According to 2K Sports, Barkley was not included in the game because the two parties were unable to come to an agreement. Whether it was Barkley feeling that, much like Jordan got in 2K11, he deserved his own challenge mode, or there was simply a lack of communication is unclear, but it’s sad to see one of the greats miss out.

2K11 gave a much needed jolt in the arm to the series with the Jordan Challenge, a formula Visual Concepts hopes to repeat — but on a grander scale — with this NBA’s Greatest mode. Last year’s game was a big hit for sports titles, making 2K12, even without Barkley, highly anticipated.

Still, 2K Sports remains optimistic that Barkley will end up in one of their future NBA titles, perhaps even as a downloadable player for 2K12. We can’t say we won’t miss Sir Charles, but there are plenty of basketball greats with which to bide our time.

What do you think of Charles Barkley not be included in the NBA’s Greatest mode in NBA 2K12? Are there any other classic teams/players you would like to see included as DLC?